Grandparents are still waiting for justice after the 3-year-old ruled a murder

Wilmington, NC (Wway)-more than a year after the death of her three-year-old granddaughter was ruled as a murder, two grandparents in Leland are still looking for justice.

The Wilmington police confirmed the investigation of the death of Ailani Jackson in January.

In March 2024, Ailani was brought with life -threatening injuries by her parents in Novant Health New Hannover Regional Medical Center.

Despite the emergency operation, according to her death certificate, Ailani died of complications in relation to a “small intestinal perforation”.

An autopsy was initially carried out by the hospital until the WPD asked for it. While Novant did not agree, the chief physician decided to death as a murder because of “blunt violent violations of the gate”.

More than a year later and without arrests, the grandparents from Ailanis, Tiffany Walker and Darius Brunson are still waiting for answers.

“You see this all the time, but when it hits you are the front door, it is different. It is very confusing that (we) still doesn't know what happened,” said Walker.

Walkers and Brunson say that they had brought Ailani to the hospital five times before their death, but never received clear answers about how they were injured.

“We always have questions from 'Why that?' Made?

“It was always” I don't know “, that was the answer,” recalled Brunson.

Walker started taking photos and documenting a broken lip, burns and bruises.

She believes that doctors did not recognize the signs of possible abuse.

“When you see something and let it go by, things like that happens,” said Walker. “For example, as I said, for Ailani we always took her to the hospital. For me it should have been a red flag.”

A WPD spokesman says that the department cannot present the examination updates.

Wway also turned to the district attorney Jason Smith about the investigation and asked Novant Health how her policy has not yet heard for alleged abuse.

If you or someone you know about the death of Ailani, please contact the WPD at (910) 343-3609 or anonymously with tip 411.